Driskel, already playing with a brace on his sprained left knee, was injured while throwing an interception in the first quarter. He fractured his fibula, the smaller bone in the lower leg, Gators coach Will Muschamp said.

Devaun Swafford picked off the pass and returned it 62 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead. Marlon Walls pulled Driskel to the ground as he released the ball. Driskel tried to get up, but then dropped back to the turf and called for trainers.

"I'm disappointed for Jeff because he's worked extremely hard for this season,'' Muschamp said.

Driskel limped off the field a few minutes later, got checked on the sideline and used crutches to get to the locker room.

Junior Tyler Murphy replaced Driskel on the next drive. Murphy had never thrown a pass in college, a significant depth problem coaches knew they would face if Driskel got hurt this season.

"One man's misfortunes are another man's opportunities," Muschamp said. "Tyler Murphy certainly took advantage of his opportunity. We are proud of him. We told the football team in the locker room that (Murphy) is a great example of a guy who showed that when your number is called at the University of Florida, you better respond at a high level.''

Murphy completed 8 of 14 passes for 134 yards. He also ran 10 times for 84 yards. His biggest mistake was taking a snap off his facemask, a botched play that resulted in a fumble. He finished with seven turnovers in his debut.

"It hasn't really hit me yet,'' said Murphy. "It was always in the back of my mind I might never play."

With Driskel ruled out for the season, Murphy's play in Florida's handling of Tennessee proved to be promising. The Gators finished with 382 total yards, 162 more than the Vols.

"He's like an old man,'' said Florida running back Mack Brown, who ran for 86 yards on 24 attempts and watched Murphy calmly take over. "He's always been like that.''

Cornerback Marcus Roberson (knee) missed the game, and fellow cornerback Loucheiz Purifoy left after sustaining a thigh bruise in the second half. Defensive back Brian Poole was ejected early in the fourth quarter for targeting. The play was upheld after review, meaning Poole will miss the first half of next week's game at Kentucky.